So I'm a noob and I've got my GTS with a few changes. I'll post pics if you guys tell me where.
All interior lights switched to white LEDs. My drls and fogs are white led bulbs as well but my headlights are the stock halogen. I know little about HID kits but there is a place locally that will install them for $140. Should I just man up and get them or go with some XtraVision or silver stars that will die quicker?
For the record I don't know how to install HIDs but might be willing to try.
Clueless about which headlights to upgrade to
Honestly, nothing will match the performance or even color output of a properly installed and aimed HID kit. I've tried my share of performance halogens before going to HIDs.
The bulbs like Xtravision and SilverStars are brighter than normal halogen, but don't even come close to HID output. If you really want the whitest and brightest, go with HID (4300K to 6000K).
Also, as you may know, the Kizashi requires the bumper to come off to change the bulbs. This means that to even replace the halogens with something like the SilverStars, you'd be doing much of the effort to install a HID kit anyways.
The only extra step you would have to take is to make sure the HID bulb wires come out the bulb housing cap (will require drilling the cap). HID kits are pretty much plug and play otherwise. Since you will already have the bumper off to install the bulbs, mounting the ballasts and igniters won't be an extra hassle.
The price that the shop is offering is quite good, but I suspect that it's for a cheap Chinese-made kit. See if they have a warranty as HID kits can have ballast/igniter failures in addition to bulb failures.
Also by DRLs do you mean the position bulbs or the actual high beam bulbs? The DRL for the Kizashi is actually the high beam bulb on low wattage. Changing that to LED would render high beam function useless. The tiny bulb under the high beam bulb is the position bulb though commonly mistaken for the DRLs. These only come on when the headlight switch is clicked to the midway or headlight on position.
The bulbs like Xtravision and SilverStars are brighter than normal halogen, but don't even come close to HID output. If you really want the whitest and brightest, go with HID (4300K to 6000K).
Also, as you may know, the Kizashi requires the bumper to come off to change the bulbs. This means that to even replace the halogens with something like the SilverStars, you'd be doing much of the effort to install a HID kit anyways.
The only extra step you would have to take is to make sure the HID bulb wires come out the bulb housing cap (will require drilling the cap). HID kits are pretty much plug and play otherwise. Since you will already have the bumper off to install the bulbs, mounting the ballasts and igniters won't be an extra hassle.
The price that the shop is offering is quite good, but I suspect that it's for a cheap Chinese-made kit. See if they have a warranty as HID kits can have ballast/igniter failures in addition to bulb failures.
Also by DRLs do you mean the position bulbs or the actual high beam bulbs? The DRL for the Kizashi is actually the high beam bulb on low wattage. Changing that to LED would render high beam function useless. The tiny bulb under the high beam bulb is the position bulb though commonly mistaken for the DRLs. These only come on when the headlight switch is clicked to the midway or headlight on position.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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rbutler752
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:26 pm
You are right, it was the position bulbs. However I will change the DRLs to an LED bulb here soon. I don't need the high beam function due to living in the city.
And getting the bumper off wasn't that big of a deal for me, so I guess I'll go HIDs then. I see some ranging from $60 - $150ish. But I'm lost on the whole "HID bulb wires come out the bulb housing cap" thing. I tried googling it with no luck.
And getting the bumper off wasn't that big of a deal for me, so I guess I'll go HIDs then. I see some ranging from $60 - $150ish. But I'm lost on the whole "HID bulb wires come out the bulb housing cap" thing. I tried googling it with no luck.
Our headlights have caps on them for the bulbs. To replace a bulb, you have to remove the plastic cap covering the back of the bulb in the headlight. HID kits consist of bulbs, ballasts, and igniters. Depending on the model of HID kit, the whole thing may not fit inside of the headlight (it won't in most other cars, but someone claims to have made it all fit inside the headlight for the Kizashi). If the whole thing does not fit, then the ballast and igniter will have to be mounted outside the headlight. This will then cause the wires to come out of the headlight. This is what I am talking about.
I will try to post pictures, but if you look in the DIY section of this forum, you can see the various posts regarding HID installations.
I personally did not install a kit in my Kizashi because mine came with them when I bought it pre-owned. The previous owner had HID kits installed in the low beam and fog lights.
I have personally installed HIDs in my former car so I am familiar with HID kits and installation.
I will try to post pictures, but if you look in the DIY section of this forum, you can see the various posts regarding HID installations.
I personally did not install a kit in my Kizashi because mine came with them when I bought it pre-owned. The previous owner had HID kits installed in the low beam and fog lights.
I have personally installed HIDs in my former car so I am familiar with HID kits and installation.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
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rbutler752
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:26 pm
I think I got it - Thanks dude... You know your stuff and your help is appreciated. I'll post pics and let you guys see what I have done so far, and then the finished product.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.